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This Ones for Phil stretches out in Gulfstream Park
Handicap
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| This Ones for Phil is seeking his third straight win on Saturday
(Guy Gustafson/Horsephotos.com) |
Grade 2 winner THIS ONES FOR PHIL (Untuttable) has shown an affinity for
Gulfstream Park, compiling a three-for-four, including a gutsy victory in the
Sunshine Millions Dash in his lone appearance this year, and is one of the top
draws in Saturday's $300,000
Gulfstream Park H. (G2). The biggest question facing him is the one-mile
distance. Trained by Richard Dutrow, the classy four-year-old gelding won at
eight furlongs earlier in his career, but his recent successes have all come at
seven furlongs or less. He'll will retain the services of John Velazquez on the
stretch out.
Grade 3 victor GRASSHOPPER (Dixie Union) appears back on track for new
conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin following his recent allowance score over
the course and distance. Runner-up in the 2007 Travers S. (G1), the six-year-old horse
dropped nine straight starts after winning the 2008 Mineshaft H. (G3) and headed
to the sidelines early last season. He returned off a 9 1/2-month layoff last
time with a hard-fought victory and will look to carry that momentum forward
with a returning Alan Garcia.
COOL COAL MAN (Mineshaft) is a horse for the course that shouldn't be taken
lightly. Winner of the 2007 Fountain of Youth S. (G2), the Nick Zito trainee is
four-for-five in Hallandale Beach, Florida, and returned to the races locally with a
sharp allowance score on January 22 that netted him a 101 BRIS Speed rating. The
versatile runner loses Velazquez to This Ones for Phil and will pick up Eddie
Castro.
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Other contenders in the 11-horse field include CONGRESSIONAL PAGE
(Orientate), MOTOVATO (Proud Citizen) and INKADO (Yankee Gentleman), the
respective second-, third- and fourth-place finishers in the recent Gulfstream
Park Sprint Championship (G2); Hal's Hope S. (G3) runner-up YOU AND I FOREVER
(A.P. Indy); and Canadian classic winner HARLEM ROCKER (Macho Uno), who appears to be rounding back into
top shape for Todd Pletcher.
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